Valve structure



July 27 1926. 1,594,176

P. w. KNAUF VALVE STRUCTURE Filed May 29, 1922 INVENTOR.

WW 6a mw ATTORNEY.

Patented July 27, 192%.

TATE

PAUL W. KNAUF, OF CYNWYD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO SCHUTTE AND KOERT ING COMPANY, OF IHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CQBPORATION OF PENN SYLVANIA.

VALVE STRUCTURE.

Application filed May 29, 1922.

My invention relates broadly to valve structures of the general type shown in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 1,031,294, granted July 2, 1912, and has specific relation to means for causing movements of the valve within its casing when in open position and for indicating when the resistance to such movements exceeds a certain predetermined force.

In the employment of valve structures of the character under consideration the exile rior surface of the valve and also the interiorsurface of the valve casing are apt and liable to become coated with scale or with a deposit which may interfere with the proper operation of the valve to open and close the same; hence the broad, general object of the Invention is to provide novel and eflicient means for preventin unnecessary tightening and tendency of the valve to stick in its casing due to the formation of scale or of deposit upon the surfaces thereof.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide novel means for causing reciprocation of the valve within its casing when in open position to thereby prevent the formation of scale or of deposits of any kind upon the contacting and co-operating surfaces.

A still further object of the said invention is to provide means for indicating automatically when the scale or deposit upon the valve and the interior of the casing or either are becoming or have become too thick so that the operation of the valve becomes difficult and requires the application of an unnecessary amount of force.

No attempt has been made to refer at this time to all of the objects and advantages of the invention, but other objects and advantages thereof will be pointed out in the de tailed description thereof which follows or will be apparenttherefrom. In order that the invention. may be readily understood and its practical advantages; fully appreciated reference may be had to the aocompanylng drawing forming a part of this specification and in which,

Fig. 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of a valve structure provided with means embodying my invention, which means is shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; and

- Fi 3 is a view with a-portion or secti n Serial No. 564,316.

of theg'ear casing of the said means re moved to show the gear wheels in said casing and their relation to each other, said view also showing in elevation links which are adapted to be reciprocate'd by crank disks secured to a shaft of certain of the said gears.

Although the invention is illustrated as applied to a trip valve structure of the character already indicated it will be under stood that it ma also be employed in connection with va ve structures generally in which opening and closing of the valve is effected by reciprocating movement thereof.

Referring to the drawing: 1 designates the casing of a valve structure having a passage therethrough through which steam or the like is adapted to flow. Such passageway is adapted to be controlled by means of a valve 2 which is adapted to reciprocate in the hollow cylinder 3. The valve is provided with a guiding stem 4: which extends transversely of the passageway through the valve casing 1, and the outer end of which is provided with an enlarged disk like end portion 5 which is guided within a relatively short hollow cylinder 6 or the like integral with the portion of the casing opposite the hollow cylinder 3. Actuation of the valve is effected by means of an actuating rod, a portion of which is indicated at 10. The portion 10 extends upwardly through the valve stem 4; and is provided at its upper end with a pilot valve 11 which ismovably secured and connected to the valve 2. The valve structure, including the pilot valve 11, is similar to the construction as disclosed in the Letters Patent above referred to, and as such structure constitutes no part ofthe present invention no further or detailed description thereof will be given.

The Valve actuating rod comprises the part 10 and also the part 15 in alinement therewith, the said two parts being coupled together by means of the frame like coupling 16. The part 10 is adapted to move rectilinearly, but does not rotate while the part 15 is adapted both to rotate and to move rectilinearly with the part 10. It will be understood thatthe upper end of the lower part or section 15 of the actuatingrod is rotatably connected. with the lower part of the coupling frame 16.

The portion or section 15 of the valve actuating rod extends through a long tuloular sleeve like member 20 which is slidably mounted within an opening through the yoke 21 and a tubular extension projecting outwardly therefrom, which yoke joins or con nects the ends of the frame bars 22 which are suspended from the valve casing. The portion or section of the valve actuating rod has screw threaded connections with the tu bular sleeve like portion and is adapted to move therewith or independently thereof. A lever con'iprising oppositely disposed bars rigidly connected together, as indicated in Fig. 2, is pivotally supported upon the opposite ends of a pivot bolt or shatt 27 which extends through a bearing 28 integral with or otherwise secured to the lower end of the tubular sleeve like portion 20. The left hand ends of the bars comprised in the lever are provided with openings through which the opposite ends of a pivot rod or shaft 29 extends. The said pivot rod or shaft also extends through an opening in a sleeve 30 integral with the lower end of a link 31 the upper end of which is pivotally connected with the outer or swinging end of an arm or lever 32, the opposite or inner end of which is pivotally connected, as indicated at 33, to a bracket 3st upon the lower end portion of the tubular extension 22.

The arm or lever 32 is provided with a transversely extending rod or bar adjacent its outer free or swinging end which is adapted to be engaged by a catch 36 which is pivoted at 37 to a bracket 38 projecting laterally from the extension 22. The up aer end of the catch 36 is provided with an extension lO which is adapted to contact with a. part of the bracket 38 to limit the outer swinging movement of the catch when it is released from the rod or bar 35. The catch releasing mechanism comprises an arm l1 pivoted upon a cylindrical stud or shaft 42? at .the outer end of the bracket 88. A rod 44- is connected to the upper end of the pivot arm 41, the outer end of which arm has operative connection with the inner end of a rod or bar 45, as indicated, which latter bar is adapted to be actuated by some such means as is indicated in 2, 3, or L of the Letters Patent above referred to. Upon release of the rod 44 two springs (only one of which is shown) which press against the part 51 connected with the arm 41 cause pivotal movement of the arm 41 and of the part 51 toward the right. The said springs 50 are coiled about two rods (only one of which is shown) and hear at their outer ends a gainst washers 53 retained by nuts 54 upon the outer end portions oi the said rods 52. The inner ends of thesaid springs are seated againstbearing washers 56 which in turn are seated against the part 51,

A relatively short arm or projection 58 alsohaving connection with; the: arm 41" is adapted" to'contactwith anoutwardly exdepresses the same to cause movement of the catch 36 to disengage the same from the rod or bar 35. The relatively short projection 58 is operated to effect pivotal movement of the catch 86 upon release of the bar with respectto the outer end of the rod i l. Up on release of the catch 36 the lever 25 to gether with the tubular screw threaded sleeve 20, the valve actuating rods connected therewith and the valve are adapted to descend automatically to close the valve. Their position, after such descent, is indica ed by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

By means of the hand wheel 60 secured to the lower end of the part. or section 15 of the valve actuating rod said part or section may be rotated to effect adjustment thereof with respect to the tubular sleeve like part 20 to thereby open and close the valve when the catch 36 is in engagement with the rod or bar 35 upon the arm or, lever 32.

F or the purpose of effecting reciprocating movement or" the valve actuating rod comprising the sections 10 and 15 and the valves 2 and 11, when the latter is in open position, I have provided certain mechanism which will now be described. The said mechanism comprises a motor 65, the shaft 66 of which is provided with a worm 67 which is in engagement with a worm wheel 68 mounted upon a shaft 69 supported in bearings upon the gear casing 70. The shaft 69 is pro vided with two small pinions 71 upon opposite sides of the worm gear 68. These pinions are in engagement with larger gears '72 supported upon a shaft 75 mounted in bearings upon the said gear casing. The said shaft '4' 5 is provided at its outer ends outside oi the casing 70 with crank disks T6 having eccentrically' situated crank pins 78 thereon with which the upper ends oi links 79 arev connected. The lower ends of these links are pivotally connected by means of a pivot bolt to the right hand end of the lever 25. It wil be seen, therefore, that upon rotation oi the crank disks 76 and the crank pins 78 carried thereby the links 79 will be causedto move up and down causing an up and down or oscillating movement of the lever 25 about the pivot 29 supported in the lower end of the link 31 the upper end of which is supported upon the outer end of the bar 32 which is held in stationary position by means of the catch 36. Such up and down or oscillatory movements of the lever 25 causes reciprocating movement of the tubular sleeve like member 20 and of the valve actuating rodconnected therewith, and consequently oi": the valvesv 2 and 11 which have connection with the upper end of said valve actuating rod. Such reciprocating movements of the valves 2 and 11 with respect to each other andof the; valve 2 with respect to the;hollow-cylinder 3 tend-s te keep the relatively moving contacting surfaces free from scale or deposits which might cause the parts, particularly the valve 2 and the hollow cylinder 3, to bind or possibly stick together thereby rendering the same diflicult of operation. It is quite essential that these relatively moving parts shall be kept in condition to move relatively to each other readily in order that if the catch 36 should be released from the rod or bar 35 the arm 32 together with the parts attached thereto may descend automatically in the manner as heretofore described.

The circuit through the motor, indicated by the dash lines St, is adapted to be opened and closedby a switch 85. The switch 85 is adapted to be controlled by a lever 86 pivoted at 87 upon one of the side bars 22 of thestationary frame previously referred to. The outer end of said lever is connected to a rod or bar 88 which extends into the switch 85 for actuating its contacts. The coupling 16, previously referred to, is provided with a laterally extending trip projection 90 which is adapted to contact with the inner end of the lever 86 and pivotally move the same when the valve 2 is moved into open position. When the said valve 2 is in such open position, as illustrated in the drawing, the said lever 86 is in position to close the circuit 84 through the motor 65, and current may pass through the circuit and the motor to operate the latter, which operation causes reciprocatory movements of the valve actuating rod and the valve connected to the upper end thereof, as previously described. Upon closure of the valve 2 the coupling 16 descends, as is apparent, so that the lever 86 is permitted to turn in the opposite direction, and its outer end is elevated to open the switch and thereby interrupt the passage of current through the motor '65. Such interruption of the current interrupts the operation of the means for causing reciprocatory movements of the valve actuating rod and of the valves connected therewith ,sothat the said valves remain uninterruptedly in closed position.

It is important that means be provided for indicating, preferably audibly, that the valve 2 is offering too great a resistance to movements thereof. Such condition may be brought about, as already indicated, by the formation of scale or by deposits upon the contacting relatively moving surfaces of the valve 2 with the hollow cylinders 3 and 6. For the purpose of automatically indicating such condition'and that the valve is offering too great a resistance to its movement I haveprovided an overload circuit breaker indicatedin ont'line'at 92 within the circuit 84, which circuit breaker is provided with contacts .or "means for closing a circuit through anaalarmysuch as a klaxon'. horn 98. ltwvi'llrbeiapparent:fthatnponthe overload ing of the circuit 84 by reason of the resistance against movement offered by the valve 2 the circuit through the motor will be broken and simultaneously the horn 93 or other form of signal which may be used will be operated to call the attention of the person in charge to the conditions. The importance of providing means for indicating when the valves are tending to bind and thereby offering too great resistance to the forces tending to move them will be apparent when it is realized that the structure, as disclosed, is adapted to be tripped automatically to permit the valves to automatically close, as above described, in case the necessity for such closure should arise. Valves of the character herein disclosed are well adapted for use, and, in fact, are largely used as emergency shut-oifs in case of breaks in the steam pipe line for turbines to arrest the steam flowing to individual turbine units before an accident can get beyond the control of the person in charge; also on turbines for starting and in connection with their emergency governor to protect the same against overspeed.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. ln a valve structure, the combination of a valve, means foropening and closing the same, and i leans having connection with the said opening and closing means which is inoperative when the valve is in closed position but which becomes operative upon the opening of the said v lve to reciprocate the opening and closing means con tinuously and to effect continuous reciprocaion of the valve when the latter is in open position;

2. In a valve structure, the combination of a valve, means for opening and closing the same, power means having connection with the said valve opening and closing means for operating the latter to cause movements of said valve when in open position, and means for automatically putting the said power means in operation upon the opening of the said valve.

8. In a valve structure, the combination of a valve, and a casing therefor, means for opening and closing said valve, power means having connection with the said open ingand closing means for actuating the latter to cause movements of the said valve when in open position, and means adapted to be actuated upon the opening and closing of said valve to put the said power means into and out of operation.

lhln a valve structure, the combination of a valve, a valve actuating rod having connection therewith, amovable sleeve like member through which the said rod'extends and "with which the said valve actuating anassass nate canned-ion, power means,

connection between said power means and the said sleeve like member for actuating the latter to cause movements of the said valve actuating rod, and means for automatically putting the said power means into and out of operation upon the movements of said valve actuating means into and out of position to open and close the said valve.

5. In a valve structure, the combination of a valve, a valve actuating rod, a movable member with which the said valve actuatrod is connected, the said rod and memher being relatively movable with respect to each other and also movable in unison, a lever adapted to be supported at one end and connected intermediate its ends to said member, power means, connections bet veen said power means and the opposite end or" said lever for causing oscillatory movements thereof to effect reciprocatory movements of the said member, the actuating rod connected thereto and the valve connected to said rod.

5. In a valve structure, the combination of a valve which is adapted-to be opened and closed with means having operative connection with the said valve for effecting con tinuous reci rocating movement th reof when the same is in open position, the said means operating only upon the opening of said valve.

'7. In a valve operating structure, the combination of a valve for controlling the supply of steam to an instrumentality to be operated thereby, means for opening and closing the same, a power device independent of said instrumentality, means intermediate said power device and the valve opening and closing means for actuating the latter when in position to open said valve to cause movements thereof and of the said valve, and means actuated upon the opening and closing of said valve to control the operation of said power device.

8. In a valve structure, the combination of avalve, scans for opening and closing said valve, a motor, connections between said motor and the said valve opening and closing means for causing movements of the said valve when in open position, a switch de vice for controlling the flow of current through the said motor, a lever for controlling the said switch, and means for actuating the said lever upon the opening and closing of the said valve to open and close the said switch to thereby put the said motor into and out of operation upon the opening and closing of the said valve.

9. in a valve structure, the combination of a valve, valve actuating rod for moving the said valve to open and close the same, a slieably supported tubular member through which the said valve actuating rod extends and with which it is adjustably connected, means having connection with. the said tubular member for reciprocating the same when the said valve is in open position, and means whereby operation of the said last mentioned means is adapted to be effected upon the opening of said valve. I

10. In a valve structure, the combination of a valve, a valve actuating rod for causing movements of the said valve, a slidably supported tubular member through which the said rod xtends and with which it is adjustably connected, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to said tubular member, means for supporting one end of said lever in elevated position, a link connected to the opposite end of said lever, a motor, connections between said motor and said link for effecting reciprocatory movements of the latter to thereby effect oscillatory movements of the said lever to thereby el'lect reciprocatory movements 01 the said tubular member and the valve actuating rod connected therewith, a circuit for supplying current to said motor, and means for closing said circuit when the said valve is in open position, the said means being adapted to move into position to open the said circuit and t iereby interrupt the operation of the said motor upon the closing of said valve.

ll. In a valve structure, the combination of a valve, a rod for actuating said valve, a slidably s pported tubular member through which the said rod extends and to which it is adjustably connected, a lever having pivotal connection intermediate its ends with the said tubular member, means for supporting one end of the said lever in elevated position, means for releasing said lever, means having connection with the opposite end of said lever for oftecting oscillatory movements thereoi to thereby cause reciprocatory movements of the said tubular member, the said means comprising a motor for effecting 0peration thereof, and means adapted to put the said motor into and out of operation upon the opening and closing of said valve wh n said lever is held in elevated position.

12. In a valve structure, the combination of a valve, means for opening and closing the same, means for causing movements thereol when in open position for the purpose of keeping the contacting and relatively moving surfaces clean, and means for indicating when the resistance ohered by the said valve to said movements exceeds a certain predetermined force.

18. In a valve structure, the combination of a valve, means for effecting movements of said valve when in open position for the purpose of keeping the contacting and relatively movable surfaces clean, an audible signal, and means whereby said signal is adapted to be operated when the resistance ofiered by the valve to the said movements exceeds a certain predetermined force.

. 14-. In valvestructure, the combination of a valve, means to open and close the same, electrical means for efiecting reciprocation of the said valve when in open position for the purpose of keeping the contacting and relatively movable surfaces free from scale or other deposit, means whereby the said electrical means is put into operation upon the opening of said valve to effect continuous reciprocatory movements thereof, and means for indicating when the resistance to the movements of said valve shall exceed a certain predetermined force.

15. In a valve structure, the combination of a valve, a valve actuating rod for open ing and closing said valve, means having connection with the said rod for reciprocating the same when the valve is in open position to cause reciprocatory movements of the said valve, a motor for driving said means, a switch which is adapted to be operated upon the opening of said valve to close the circuit through the said motor, a signal, and means for automatically opening the said circuit and sounding the said signal in case the resistance offered by the said valve to the said reciprocatory movements shall exceed a certain predetermined force.

16. In a valve structure, the combination of a valve, a hollow cylinder into which said valve extends, means for opening and closing said valve, and means which is inoperative when said valve is in closed position, but which is rendered operative upon the opening of said valve to cause continuous relative movement between said valve and said hollow cylinder for the period during which said valve remains in open position.

In testimony whereof that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have hereunto signed my name this 24th day of May, 1922.

PAUL W. KNAUF. 

